"Poor experience at outpatient appointment"

I have been visiting this renal unit at Medway maritime hospital for quite a few years.  The nurses who I see I always very friendly and are interested in me as I always have conversations with them.  The nurses always check my weight and blood pressure to give to the consultant nephrologist before I see him.  I know I am always guaranteed a smile when I see the nurses and a friendly chat.

Then I sit in the waiting area waiting to see the senior member of staff.  When they come to get me, I find they speak in a rude tone and doesn’t greet me whatsoever, doesn’t even say hello.  The first thing they say is to take my face mask off.  I have never found them to be friendly or even had a bit of small talk with them.  They seem rushed and at times when asked a question I manage to get one syllable out before being interrupted and having the  question answered for me, which is sometimes the wrong answer.

When I have concerns about my condition they are not interested in listening to me, and I am never given the opportunity to ask any questions.  During one consultation they  answered their mobile phone whilst I was sitting there and was speaking on it for about 5 minutes.  That I found unacceptable.  I can hope the next time I see them I get greeted with a hello.

I suggest they take some training in how to listen and be interested in patients concerns and how not to keep interrupting when the patient is talking or answering a question.  I have been wanting to ask questions for about 2 appointments now but the first time I was about to ask something they got up and told me to follow them so they  could see my dad who was in the waiting room. The second time I was unable to ask questions - they seemed rude and wanting to rush me out the door.

I’m getting scared that when my condition worsens that they won't  listen to me.  I have seen a lot of different hospital staff in my life all for different reasons and I am sorry to say this is the worst experience yet.